Pastor's Blog

The Two Kingdoms 11/04/08

Good Morning, dear family.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us on this election day here in America. May we wisely exercise our privilege and responsibility to vote as we choose our leaders. The Scriptures give us counsel concerning the role of government and our relationship to it. Here are a few Scriptures which give us insight concerning this important matter.

(The sermon notes for last Sunday's sermon (Remembering and Learning from the Reformation) are under the members page on our KALC website at kingstonalc.com.

All powers that be are ordained of God

KJV Romans 13:1-10 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. {ordained: or, ordered}Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

He sovereignly rules in the affairs of the world

KJV Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Choosing of leaders

KJV Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Our responsibility to pray for our leaders

KJV 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

We must remember that Jesus spoke of the two kingdoms in these verses:

KJV John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

KJV John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Martin Luther explained his view concerning the two kingdoms in this fashion: "...Both are under God's rule. But one is under the law--in its first, or civil function--and the other is under gospel. The civil order order has been established by God to restrain the wicked and curb the most extreme consequences of their sin..."

KJV Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

KJV Psalm 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

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